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Germany establishes renewable energy platform

Germany’s Federal Environment Minister, Norbert Röttgen has today formed a platform for renewable energies, in order to gather together all the relevant energy transition players. The platform may only submit recommendations, however.

Norbert Röttgen officially established the platform today.

flickr/ohallmann

The aim of the platform is to coordinate the further development of renewables in Germany, including their market integration, their interaction with conventional energy sources, and their integration with grid expansion plans.

Representatives from Germany’s government, its states, cities and municipalities will join the platform, together with representatives from the renewable energy sector, transmission and network system operators, and those from environmental, nature, consumer protection and conventional energy associations, and scientists and researchers.

At the opening conference, Röttgen commented, "It is a big step forward that as part of the renewable energy platform, all those who want to help shape the design and goals of the energy transition, have pulled together."

The platform will initially focus on the electricity sector; three working groups have been established:

1. Renewable energy market and system integrators

The conceptual development of Germany’s renewable energy law (EEG) will be advised under this group, with a focus on what the growing share of renewables means for the overall energy system.

2. Interaction of network development and renewable energy expansion

The expansion of renewable energies must be coordinated with the expansion of the transmission and distribution network. This working group aims to look for solutions, in close coordination with the network platform of the Federal Ministry of Economics, such as how developments can be both economically efficient and environmentally sound.

3. Interaction between renewable energies, conventional energies and demand

This working group will develop recommendations for cost-effective and secure supply of renewable energy sources and conventional power plants.

The renewable energy platform will only be able submit recommendations, meaning the federal ministries and government will make any final decisions.

Translated by Becky Stuart.